39 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

Morning Mini lovers. Two quick questions...

Firstly, noticed on my Mayfair front subframe a screw hole underneath on both sides. The offside has a screw in and the nearside doesn't. Worried something may have fallen off, or it could just be from the manufacturing process. However Haynes manual Mini 1000 has the same, see photo. What are these holes for?



Secondly, where on the subframes is best to jack the car up and put axle stands? I've trawled through hundreds of threads on this and other sites but can't find any pictures and am still a bit confused, because surely you need to jack the car up in one place and place the axle stands in another?

Please can someone put big Xs on these photos

[stretch tech]

i use the sump with a piece of wood to protect the fins to jack up the car and then put axel stands covered with rag under the side members or front corners of the subby...just don't ever use the sills

[jaydee]

The holes are for the brake pipes fitting IIRC.
Anyway..
Do not jack the car up by the sump!!!!
Use the subframe.
This has been convered in a bunch of threads, and there should be one pinned in the FAQ's too.

[Noah]

i use the sump with a piece of wood to protect the fins to jack up the car and then put axel stands covered with rag under the side members or front corners of the subby...just don't ever use the sills

Note to self keep a mini trolley jack and 2x4 under the seat aha

[lewBlew]

Yep I know it's been covered a million times, but I want to know where on the subframe, front and back.

[robtheplod]

i use the sump with a piece of wood to protect the fins to jack up the car and then put axel stands covered with rag under the side members or front corners of the subby...just don't ever use the sills

Note to self keep a mini trolley jack and 2x4 under the seat aha

yep, thats the content of my boot!

[L400RAS]

i use the sump with a piece of wood to protect the fins to jack up the car and then put axel stands covered with rag under the side members or front corners of the subby...just don't ever use the sills

Do NOT lift the car like this. You are effectively suspending the car weight on the RUBBER engine mounts. Jacking point should be under the flat part of the subframe each side.

Edited by L400RAS, 08 August 2012 - 11:11 AM.

[L400RAS]

Jack under the flat areas of the subframe;

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[lewBlew]

Thhhaannkkkk you!!!!! I guess the jack itself is levered from the front of the car in the case of the front subframe point, due to the wheels being in the way?

[maccers]

Get a low entry "race car" type jack. Before I got mine I made up some ramps from some plywood that I would drive the car onto to get better height access with my jack, but then you might find you are restricted with left and right movment of the jack to get it to those points highlighted in red above.

Bottom line is cars are heavy and invetsing in the correct kit essential for safety and longevity.

Stay safe!

[minisilverbullet]

If you have trouble getting a trolley jack under the front subframe ( i do). use a scissor jack to raise the car enough to be able to get a trolly under.

[lewBlew]

Apparently the bog standard Halfords trolley jack fits under either subframe... I'm planning on getting either that or one from Machine Mart which is similar but £10 cheaper. In any case, can you jack it up on the flat bit of the subframe and then put axle stands right next to where you jack it up - is the area big and strong enough?

[maccers]

I have a lowered mini on 10" wheels, so for me, even the low entry jack is sometimes too high!

I have held my car in many places along that main section thats been highlighted in red, sometimes I have had to jack the car up using the very front part of the subframe where the tie rod connects to, in order to slide a jack under the subframe.

Make sure there is no oil or grease as some jacks have rubber pads on them which is great for protecting the jack point, but can slip when you apply pressure on the jack handle. Keep all your body parts clear!

[lewBlew]

Fair enough, maybe I should jack the car up a bit further forward and then place axle stands exactly where the red blobs are (on the front).

Anyway a bit weird why both the Haynes manual and my car have one screw hole on the front subbie used and the other empty. Anyone else got this?

[maccers]

Also, ment to add, when you actually come to lower the car onto the axle stand, if you are jacking from the front, the car will lower down, but in a backwards direction, so make sure you compensate for that so that the car does not land on the edge of the stand and tip back. Once all car is on stands and before you start work under it, check that its stable, I do this by grabbing the front and giving it a little shake, not a massive wobble but just enough to see that its secure.
Lastly, put your wheels or something solid under the car so if the worst does happen, you have a backup.

If you are not sure get some help the first few times or have someone show you. Happy to help if you are local to me!